wrote Villehardouin. “They were already preparing for battle, when the news began to come in from the city…” The Crusaders, who had retired dispirited and exhausted the night before, now learned to their astonishment that the Emperor Alexius had fled. It is not difficult to imagine how much this news was welcomed. This must surely mean the end of all their troubles. All that remained now (as the Crusaders in their simplicity believed) was to place young Alexius on the throne as Alexius IV, and receive in exchange the money and provisions that he had promised them. Even the dissidents from Corfu must have felt that their difficulties were at an end. The Doge and the barons can hardly have failed to share in the general enthusiasm. In their possession they had the future emperor of Constantinople, and they were only too happy to restore him to the throne, provided that the promises he had made them were honoured. They could almost anticipate the pleasure that would be felt by the Pope at the result of their expedition.
What do You think about The Great Betrayal (1967)?
